Oil Goes Bullish on Weak Dollar

Oil prices reached over $59.50 a barrel yesterday, an increase of a whopping 4%. It seems that the OPEC production cuts have worked. Traders should also take into account that the Crude prices were also fueled yesterday by bullish stock markets and a weak Dollar. The price of Crude Oil is only likely to increase further today if the U.S. and Euro-Zone continue to show optimism, and the Dollar continues its bearish run.
USD - Dollar Plummets on Jobless Claims Data

The U.S. Dollar plummeted considerably versus its major rivals on Thursday. This was amid uncertainty about the economic outlook, buoyed by modest safe-haven flows. The Dollar dived against the EU after a report showing U.S. jobless claims rose last week more than analysts originally forecasted. However, the U.S. and global stock markets made gains yesterday.

The USD fell by over 80 pips to 1.3634 against the EUR yesterday, after appreciating earlier to $1.3531, the strongest level since May 8. The Dollar also declined against the GBP by 110 pips to close at 1.5229. The U.S. currency, however, increased against the JPY to 95.99 Yen from a 95.47 opening. The Dollar has weakened in the past 3 weeks, falling to $1.3634 per EUR from $1.2886 on April 22, while the Standard & Poor's 500 Index reached its high for the year and Treasury yields rose amid an increase in risk appetite among investors.

The U.S. Dollar may appreciate further against the EUR after the 16-nation currency was unable to break above $1.3700 amid an increase in U.S. stocks. Stock markets remain a key driver of currencies, and their rise in yesterday's trading was clearly reflected in the bearishness of the Dollar, analysts said. Market players will be watching a heavy round of U.S. economic data on Friday, including April consumer price inflation, the University of Michigan consumer confidence survey.